The life changing nature of brain tumors : causes, symptoms, treatments and suggestions for coping

When anyone is diagnosed with a brain tumor, it can cause walls to come crashing down. A brain tumor of any form, starting within the brain or the central spinal cord, is inherently serious because it is invasive and impedes bodily functions at best; at worst, it can become life threatening. It can be debilitating to motor functions, attention and can invariably lead to an increased amount of stress.

My story : Coping with Pitutary Schwannomas

As as student studying for examinations and preparing for university education, the onset of headaches and stress would be nothing to be surprised by. Like anyone else in this situation, I was overwhelmed by the preparations for my GCE A level examinations and often experienced migraines, painful to the point that I could not lay on my bed to sleep. I had to resort to sleeping sitting up. Still, I did not attribute them to anything unusual. After all, headaches are a common symptom of stress.

After I received my examination results, the situation deteriorated somewhat. The mediocre examination performance came as no surprise because of all the headaches. I was satisfied studying Correspondence Law.

That is, until I began to find difficulties walking around. My grandmother lived a few houses away from mine and I would often walk over for visits. I suddenly found myself stumbling a little on these walks when my legs became numb. My mother thought it was just teenage angst and was even a little angry with me.

My grandmother became the savior of the day. She brought me to a sensible General Practitioner who noticed the signs of a brain tumor and to confirm the diagnosis, she referred me to a neurologist. I was diagnosed with two Pitutary Schwannomas after an MRI scan. MRI refers to Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a magnetic imaging technique used in radiology to capture a body’s structures in more detail. Pituitary Schwannomas are tumors that grow from the Pitutary Gland. They had been there in my brain for ten years prior to the diagnosis.

As a matter of course, I was operated on and the tumors removed. I had a bit of residual tumor which grew again. My consultant neurosurgeon recommended the Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, a non invasive laser surgery that attacks rogue lesions in the brain. I was flown all the way to Hong Kong for the treatment.

The treatment removed the tumors. After going through rounds of physiotherapy, I managed to finally walk again. There were the various effects of the tumor that I am still addressing after nineteen years. The neurosurgeon had hit the 5th nerve of the brain when he removed it, and this impeded my hearing, causing profound deafness in my right ear. The right side of my face is also numb. The removal caused problems with my memory and led to a diagnosis of ADHD or attention deficit disorder. I must add here that ADHD may not be a direct result of a brain tumor, so consultation with a physician is necessary.

All in all, I found myself having to restructure my life to cope with all the ‘by products” of the tumor. ADHD means that I have to take more care in organizing my life and schedule as well. I have also developed support networks with Brain Tumor support groups and had to alter my lifestyle in a way that lessens stress levels.

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Causes of brain tumors

Causes of brain tumors

Damage to DNA of brain cells

Brain cells mutate when their DNA changes, which causes them to grow at an abnormal rate and turn into lesions clustered together in a part of the brain.

Cancer spreading from other areas of the body

Malignant tumors in other parts of the body may spread to the brain, especially at the later stages of cancer.

Family history

Anyone with known family history of cancer or brain tumors is likely to develop one.

Radiographers and nurses looking into an MRI machine | Source

Symptoms of a brain tumor

What are the signals of an unwanted resident lesion in the brain? These symptoms may seem like common instances and are often ignored.

Headaches

This would be the symptom that can also indicate signs of stress. However, frequent headaches can be a sign of a more serious condition.

Seizures

In some serious instances, there can be seizures which leave a sufferer trembling and often tired. Fortunately, my condition was diagnosed before becoming serious enough for me to experience these.

Sensory and movement loss

When the body starts to lose some of its basic motor functions, it is definitely a signal for further diagnosis. There were occasions when I could not even hold a spoon up without trembling, prior to the operations to remove the tumors.

Fatigue

A sufferer might become inexplicably tired. I definitely experienced these symptoms, which I simply attributed to work and stress.

Again, if there is tiredness for no reason, it warrants further diagnosis.

Hearing loss

If a brain tumor presses on the nerve that controls hearing, it can cause hearing loss. In my case, it is profound deafness in the right ear.

Depression

Having a tumor anywhere, including the brain, is a life changing crossroad. Acceptance is but one stage of the arduous journey; coping with the effects of the condition even after surgery is yet another.

It comes as no surprise that this would cause some level of depression for suffers. This would be true for any illness.

Behavioral and Cognitive Changes

A sufferer would likely become hot tempered and impulsive as a result of the tumor. He may also experience cognitive changes, such as becoming more forgetful as a result of memory loss.

I became increasingly forgetful over the years, as the tumors grew. I still wonder how I managed to pass the examinations I spoke of!

Endocrine dsyfunction

There may be changes in hormones for some sufferers. For ladies, there may be problems with Progestorone and Estrogen levels that regulate monthly periods; men may have changes in Testosterone levels that can causes problems with male reproductive tissue in the testicles or prostate. I had Pitutary Schwannomas that caused a difficulty with monthly periods.

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Treatment for brain tumors

Radiosurgery

This surgery is non invasive, laser surgery that targets rogue cells or lesions and removes them. A note that the Gamma Knife treatment I mentioned earlier gets rid of malignant tumors or lesions quickly. However, chances of regrowth are much higher as the cancer spreads.

Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy may be recommended for sufferers of malignant tumors. Radiotherapy or radiation oncology utilizes ionizing radiation to control cell growth. Chemotherapy is treatment using an antineoplastic drug or combination of drugs that are administered over a course of time.

Targeted Drug Therapy

This is therapy targeted at certain abnormalities within cancer cells. Drugs like Avastin are sometimes used to treat malignant brain tumors called glioblastomas. The drug, administered intravenously through a vein, cuts of blood supply too and kill rogue cells.

Afinitor is a drug used to treat people with a genetic disorder called tuberous sclerosis who develop brain tumors.Another drug, Everolimus, blocks an enzyme which contributes to the growth of cancer cells.

Coping with brain cancer

Suggestions for coping with the effects of a brain tumor

Coping with a brain tumor and its resulting effects is definitely no small task and requires an extensive support system. These are some of my suggestions, by no means exhaustive or imperative, for coping with this potentially negative condition.

If you suspect that you have a brain tumor, arrange to have Magnetic Resonance Imaging performed.

If you experience any of the symptoms I outlined above, do arrange for a session of Magnetic Resonance Imaging to be performed. This is a magnetic imaging process targeted at providing more details into the body’s structure. It allows most tumors to be visible on scans and films.

Consult a qualified neurologist and neurosurgeon

It is necessary in this situation to establish connections with qualified neurologists who specialize in the diagnosis and remediation of conditions that develop within the brain.

However, they do not perform surgery, so it is important to maintain contact with a neurosurgeon qualified to removed tumors within the brain.

As this is a life changing condition, it is wise to keep previous scans so as to get a second opinion at any time.

Regular exercise and physiotherapy

Regular exercise helps a sufferer to cope with any numbness present. I made it a point to walk for a short while every day so that I could regain some of the small motor skills I lost.

Family support is important especially in understanding the effects that a brain tumor can have - the depression and memory loss is particularly relevant information family members should understand, for these issues are difficult for a sufferer to negotiate. They can also potentially compromise his or her career.

Support Groups

This, like any other condition, is difficult for any sufferer to himself understand and family or friends to empathize with. Discussions on coping mechanisms and relevant sources for dealing with this condition can be found in a brain tumor support network. I have joined the only brain tumor support group in Singapore and the regular information and discussions with fellow sufferers have helped me greatly. The National Brain Tumor Society is a site that helps sufferers to find a support group near them.

Finally, see life positively.

It is important for sufferers to realize that having a brain tumor is not a be all and end all for them. It is a mere restructuring of one’s lifestyle and seeing the possibilities ahead. Some adjustments have to be made, but a fulfilling, rich life can still be led.

All in all, being diagnosed with this condition can be life changing and debilitating - but only if the sufferer allows circumstances to govern his life.

Comments

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AUTHOR

Michelle Liew

6 years agofrom Singapore

Thanks for your kind words, Meldz. It wasn't a question of acceptance at the time...it was a necessity! But It turned out for the best, thankfully. Thanks for sharing!

ignugent17

6 years ago

I admire your courage Michelle . Not all people can accept it and be ready to undergo opertion. You are lucky to have your grandmother nearby.

This is very helpful and good information to share.

Take care and have a good day! :-)

AUTHOR

Michelle Liew

6 years agofrom Singapore

Hi Tammy! Yes, I definitely cannot deny that the going was, & still is, very tough. But the first step to getting better things for ourselves is always to be grateful for the things we do have. For me, it's my family and wonderful friends, including very much those here on HP. Thanks very much for sharing too!

Tammy

6 years agofrom North Carolina

Wow Midget! You have been through so much. I am really impressed by you positive outlook and determination to over come this. I am glad you are in good health. I am sure your hub will save lives and encourage others to stay positive with a diagnosis like this.

AUTHOR

Michelle Liew

6 years agofrom Singapore

Yes, it was a difficult yet enlightening time, Patty. Suffered, but learned a lot too. At least how to become tougher! (I guess that's why I am a tough nut to crack sometimes). Indeed, technology is amazing. If not for the intervention of science and financial help from my family, I'd have lost my life, so I'm ever so thankful for each and every one of them, because during those times, they all chipped in to help in some way. Thanks for sharing, I hope this reaches out to fellow sufferers...there are increasing numbers suffering from this condition. Thanks for coming by, my friend!

Patty Kenyon

6 years agofrom Ledyard, Connecticut

Michelle, Wow, I cannot believe all that you have been through!!! In the past two years, we have known two people (one a 12 year old child and the other a 65 year old man) who had brain tumors and have seemed to recovered. I am absolutely amazed at the technology and amazed by this Hub!!

Thank-you sooo very much for sharing this information as well as your personal story, I am sure that this will help soooo many!!!

Lots of Votes and Shared!!!!

AUTHOR

Michelle Liew

6 years agofrom Singapore

Thanks, Linda. Your daughter's friend's experience sounds like what many people go through...they misunderstand the signs as attention getting or something else, till it is a little too late. Thankfully, your daughter's friend's fine!! Hope that indeed, this helps many! Thanks for the read!

Linda Bilyeu

6 years agofrom Orlando, FL

My daughters friend had a brain tumor at age 20. She was repeatedly told by doctors that it was all in her head, stress from college courses, anxiety from a recent breakup. It wasn't until one night when she had a seizure and rushed to the E.R. was it discovered that she had a brain tumor. I don't remember all the medical jargon from her experience, but I do know that surgery helped her and she's fine now. Thank you Michelle for sharing your journey. This should help many people. Wishing you well.

AUTHOR

Michelle Liew

6 years agofrom Singapore

HI Kim, thanks for coming by and reading this little piece. Hope that it gets out to sufferers, so I really do appreciate the share!! Always look forward to seeing you!

Sasha Kim

6 years ago

Thank you for sharing your story! I'm so glad that despite the "by products” of the tumor you can still write wonderful hubs for all of us to enjoy. This was yet great one so I'm voting a bunch and sharing ^_^

AUTHOR

Michelle Liew

6 years agofrom Singapore

Thanks, Tips for Health, for coming by!

kevin

6 years agofrom China

Good hub！

AUTHOR

Michelle Liew

6 years agofrom Singapore

Thanks for the visit, Lipnancy. Hope to share with everyone who needs it!

Nancy Yager

6 years agofrom Hamburg, New York

May your hub change many lives. Thanks for the education.

AUTHOR

Michelle Liew

6 years agofrom Singapore

THanks Janine for coming by. Most welcome, just hope to reach out to more people so that they would be more aware of the condition! Thanks for the tweet and share, my friend.

Janine Huldie

6 years agofrom New York, New York

Michelle, I knew you had had some brain tumors from our previous conversations, but thank you so much for sharing your actual story here. I am glad that you were bale to get treatment and that you are Ok now, but can't believe all you went through and even all the side effect even after you had the tumors removed too. Have voted up, shared and tweeted too!!

AUTHOR

Michelle Liew

6 years agofrom Singapore

The life changing nature of brain tumors : causes, symptoms, treatments and suggestions for coping

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